Rabiot or Koné: Deschamps faces a real dilemma in midfield ahead of France-Spain

Didier Deschamps has still not settled on his starting eleven for the World Cup semi-final against Spain, and a major uncertainty persists in midfield less than twenty-four hours before kick-off.

The head coach must choose between Adrien Rabiot, recovered from injury, and Manu Koné, who has filled in brilliantly against Paraguay and then Morocco. While Rabiot appears to have a slight advantage linked to his status within the squad, Deschamps has reportedly not yet made a decision and should wait until Monday’s final training session to make his choice.

Aurélien Tchouameni’s physical condition is the other variable in the equation. The Real Madrid midfielder has not played for ten days after suffering an injury on the eve of the Paraguay match, and his ability to handle a match of this intensity remains to be confirmed.

Moreover, the hesitations that marked the start of the tournament appear to have been resolved on the other positions. Deschamps has decided in favour of Théo Hernandez at right-back and Désiré Doué in attack, the latter having been very prominent against Morocco. Lucas Digne and Bradley Barcola should therefore start on the bench.

Probable France lineup: Maignan — Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez — Rabiot, Tchouameni or Koné — Dembélé, Olise, Doué — Mbappé.